Day 3. I started at 5:25am. Charlie rolled out at 5am. And Mike, I learned later started at 6am. He caught me a bit before Palisade and off he went. This was a great day of climbing to Grand Mesa! 23 miles. First we had to get across Grand Junction and it was a slight drag up the whole way and I was just tired and not feeling the very best. I found the Long family park and used the porta john and got water at mile 18.9. Palisade area was cool as it was full of wineries and fruit trees. Then the ugly part of the I-70 freeway came. Yuck, narrow, dirty, different types of mangled paving, and fast cars. This lasted about 5 miles before we exited to a great pavement, low to no traffic gentle start to a long climb. We passed 2 exits and took the 3rd one ( mile 34.6 of route). I would suggest that the actual route take the 2 early off-on ramps to get off the freeway for a bit as I found cars were exiting on those 2 exchanges. I actually took Exit 2 for Exxon just to use the toilet. Initially our climb followed Plateau Creek. After crossing the creek at mile 44.8, the climbing got serious so I removed my jacket, gloves, and arm warmers. Then continued the climb to Mesa, CO at mile 46.3. There I could see Charlie pulling out of the restaurant and starting his climb. I stopped at the store for some chips, water, and bathroom ( an awesome bathroom). From Mesa it was 20 miles and it took 4 hours to reach the summit! This summit and climb I really enjoyed! I liked picking out some object ( light pole, sign, corner) and not slowing up until getting there, then pick another. This kept me from constantly checking how far I had come. I stopped a bit at the ski lodge of Powderhorn ,mile 53.9, for a couple pics and to rest a bit. Then up to the top, mile 65.9 and stop to get clothes back on as it was cold and full of snow. This summit area was long as well. First one gets to Mesa Lakes area ( mile 60), then a bit more climbing and another steeper sections and finally to top at mile 66 and at 10,800ft. Then a zooming descent down to the Visitor Center, mile 68.9. It was closed but a separate building had heated flush toilets and water fountain. So used both! Then continued the screaming descent on great pavement and broad sweeping corners all the way to and beyond Delta, CO. At mile 88.9, I finally forced myself to remove my winter gear as I was still cold but the temp in shade said upper 60's. It was chilly at first but I forced myself. Here around mile 90 started the shit-on-the-road part. So many cow manure trails. LOL. Pulled into the Arby's at Delta. Awesome break time. They had a table set aside with a place setting for the POW-MIA. Then Hwy 50 back to Grand Junction and a partial tailwind. This was brand new pavement and a wide shoulder! Then the ugliness of riding on Patterson! Again. This time more traffic. The bike lane ends at 28 1/4 Rd. I suggest we turn north there and get onto the route that way by turning R onto Hawthorne Ave > R onto 28 Rd > L on Cortland Ave > R onto 27 1/2 Rd > G Rd > R on 26 Rd to be back on course. Got back to house area ~910pm but had to do the extra ~20 miles out to beyond Mack and back to finish the 1000k. That part of fun as there were almost 0 cars, not many lights and pretty level, smooth pavement. Once I got to the turn around at mile 170 I stopped smack in middle of this Y intersection and put on my winter gear (all but the blue woolie). Not a single car appeared. I was there for 7 minutes, sort of soaking in the fact that indeed I was going to finish this 1000km ride ( a goal I had set some months ago to get a RUSA Cup) and to defy any car coming! So calm and peaceful there. I got abt 10:45pm. Awesome. After talking over with the group. We agreed that this day should be longer for the 1200km folks as well, in fact the 1200km riders should end the day with 1000km as well. So will have to research how to do that. We also want to try to get the CO Natl Mon into this 1000km part ( or maybe into 1-way somewhere in the 3 days and the other way in Day 4?